A daily selection from 150 years ago today in the "Official Records of the War of the Rebellion".

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

December 18, 1863 (Friday): Early Tracks Averell

General Jubal Early

HEADQUARTERS,
Lexington, December 18, 1863.
[General J. A. EARLY:]
GENERAL: I arrived at this place at sunrise this morning after a very
hard march on men and horses. Scouts sent to Buchanan confirm Averell's
movements, as previously reported, viz, via Roanoke, Red Sulphur, New
Castle, and toward Sweet Springs. I shall march, via Covington, to
Callaghan's, as I find rom statements of the citizens and guides I can
get across all streams. The only way I can see that Averell can escape
is in direction of Lewisburg (unless arrangements have been made to stop
him by that route), or unless he is delayed by high water. Supposing
that he is forced back by either of the two causes, he might return and
come up by Buchanan. I have ordered the Corps of Cadets to that point.
Had you not better throw a supporting force to this point? Averell has
too much start of me to intercept him if he goes toward Lewisburg,
unless delayed by high waters. Will do what I can, however.
Very, respectfully,

Early was no Stonewall Jackson, but he was a Valley native (Franklin, Virginia) and knew the area well. Averell had come east into Western Virginia and was to the west of Lexington around Salem. The terrain was difficult and the weather prohibitive, but the ever combative Early still desired to get at him.

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The 150th anniversary of the war has sparked a number of bloggers to build blogs that are reports on this day in the Civil War and (from what I've seen) do it very well. By focusing solely on what is in the Official Records (O.R.) my goal is to give you a look behind the major events at how the actors perceived what was unfolding before them. It is not possible to paint a comprehensive picture, but my hope is these brief posts will motivate readers to go off exploring on their own to fill in the blanks.

In addition to reports on major battles, there will occasionally be posts dealing with odd characters, misunderstandings, bitterness, and even humorous events. Because at the end of the day, war is an undertaking which exposes the best and worst in human nature.